Jonathan Heasley

Heasley spent a majority of 2022 in the majors, but the fact that he averaged less than five innings per start (104 innings across 21 starts) shows just how poorly it went. He had a 5.28 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 70:47 K:BB in the majors while adding a 4.35 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 45:10 K:BB across 39.1 innings at Triple-A Omaha. Entering his age-26 season, the minor-league numbers suggest at least some modest improvements could be on the way if he can cut down on his 4.1 BB/9 and 1.6 HR/9 at the major-league level. The right-hander has solid movement on his fastball and curveball, but he struggled to avoid hard contact, giving up a 45.3 percent hard-hit rate last year. At best, Heasley's a back-of-the-rotation starter, though he could also be in contention to work as a swingman if the Royals go with five starters to begin 2023. Another tour in Triple-A also remains a possibility.